[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2517]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   IN RECOGNITION OF GEORGE A. CASTRO, II, RECIPIENT OF THE HISPANIC 
                       AMERICAN RECOGNITION AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2001

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize George A. 
Castro, II, President of the Hispanic American Association for 
Political Awareness, for his personal achievements and for his 
outstanding contributions to his community. Mr. Castro will receive the 
Hispanic American Recognition Award from Mayor Jim McGreevey on 
February 25, 2001.
  George A. Castro, II emigrated to the United States from Colombia in 
1985 with only his lucky quarter and a strong desire for success. A 
short time later, he started his first business, a cleaning company, 
which grew to 60 employees in just a few years. The rapid growth of the 
company allowed it to bid on the state's largest jobs.
  In 1989, Mr. Castro received his real estate license and gained 
employment at an ERA office in Union County, where he became the top-
producing seller with more than $10 million in sales after his first 
year and $27 million the following year. In 1991, Mr. Castro opened his 
own office, Countywide-Realty, as an independent broker. Within a year 
and a half, Countywide was one of the most successful real estate 
offices in New Jersey. The office joined the Century 21 franchise in 
1995, eventually changing its name to Century 21 Atlantic.
  Recently, Century 21 Atlantic received Century 21's prestigious 
Double Centurion Office award for achieving more than $90 million in 
sales in 1999, a 300% increase over the previous year.
  Mr. Castro is an accomplished businessman and community activist. The 
success of Century 21 Atlantic and the Ritz Theatre and Performing Arts 
Center, which he purchased in 1994, has made him a role model for the 
Hispanic community. Mr. Castro serves as the Chairman of the Hispanic 
Political Action Committee and is a member of the Zoning Board of 
Adjustment for the City of Elizabeth. He also participates in the Boy 
Scouts of America, Eastern Union County.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing George A. 
Castro, II for all he has accomplished and for all he has contributed 
to his community.

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